
The next-gen Suzuki Swift is only a few weeks away from its domestic debut, as the hatchback is expected to go on sale in South Africa this October.
The company recently previewed the new model at the 2024 Festival of Motoring in Gauteng along with a detailed breakdown of its specifications, giving motorists their first taste of what to expect when the Swift makes its grand entry next month.
The face of affordable motoring
Now in its fourth generation, the new Swift has seen an architectural overhaul with a modern design that still manages to capture the hatchback’s distinctive shape.
Visual updates across the range now include a new gloss black upper front grille, integrated indicators in the side mirrors, and LED taillights.
As for model-specific additions, the South African line-up will consist of three trim levels – GL, GL+, and GLX.
The GL and GL+ have halogen headlights, while the top-end GLX gains access to LED bulbs with additional daytime running lights and fog lamps.
Regardless of which derivative you go for, the small car is powered by a 1.2-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engine similar to the ones in the outgoing units.
The crucial difference is that the powerplant has dropped a cylinder, going from four to three, which has functionally had no impact on performance as it produces 60kW and 112Nm.
This is only 1kW and 1Nm less than the old engine, but the use of one less combustion chamber means the already frugal Swift will become even more economical.
Gearboxes choices comprise a five-speed manual or a CVT, and the manual units even benefit from a Stop/Start function to minimize fuel-spend even further.
As for its equipment, the base GL sets the scene with 14-inch steel wheels, fully electric windows, electronic side mirror adjustment, central locking with remote control, rear parking sensors, and digital airconditioning controls.
It also comes with an improved safety repertoire consisting of six airbags, hill assist, ABS, electronic stability control, three-point seatbelts for all five passengers, and ISOFIX anchor points for child seats.
The mid-spec GL+ cranks things up with 15-inch alloys, a multifunction steering wheel, a rearview camera, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Shifting focus to the flagship GLX, it rounds out the package with 15-inch diamond-cut alloys, auto-folding side mirrors, light-sensing headlights, keyless entry and start, automatic climate control, a bigger 9-inch media screen, cruise control, and a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters on the CVT models.
The Japanese carmaker has yet to reveal the pricing for the upcoming range, but the current-gen models currently go for between R213,900 and R272,900, excluding the Swift Sport hot hatch.
Given that a major part of the hatchback’s appeal is its affordable price point, it will be interesting to see just how much the new additions tack on to the final tag when it arrives in showrooms this October.
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